WhatsApp channel has been launched in 149 countries including India. The feature is similar to Instagram channels and will likely help people reach a larger audience without compromising their privacy.
Channels are one-way broadcasting tools for admins to send text, photos, videos, stickers, and polls. Channels can be found in a new tab called Updates on WhatsApp – where you choose to follow statuses and channels. Which is different from your chats with family, friends and various communities.
WhatsApp Channels: Don’t know how to create your channel? Then find out now.
You just need to update the WhatsApp app and then users will see a new channel option in the main window or update tab. Anyone can create a channel on WhatsApp by tapping on the “+” icon located to the right of the channel option. Once you tap on it, the app will give you the option to create a channel. You can also just add a name and an image to it. So far, there is no limit to how many channels you can create.
WhatsApp Channels: Privacy Features
As a channel admin, your phone number and profile photo will not be shown to followers. Likewise, following a channel will not reveal your phone number to administrators or other followers. Who you follow is your choice and personal as per the details released by WhatsApp. WhatsApp will only store channel history on servers for 30 days as the company believes that there is no point in keeping channel updates forever.
Admins are allowed to post photos, text messages, links or anything else on public channels. They will also have the option to block screenshots and forwards from the channel. Followers are not allowed to reply or send messages in a public channel, but they can respond to any post with emojis.
The company said, “We will make it possible for admins to decide who can follow their channel and whether they want to make their channel discoverable in the directory,”.
